When I woke up the other day, I was feeling a little under the weather. My body was aching thanks to the game of basketball at high altitude and the 6k moto ride up a dirt mountain road with a full hiking backpack on my back. I was also feeling a bit post-partum-ish from being away from my fellow WT volunteers. The remoteness of my new home in the mountains was getting to me. But then Sisters Alfonsie and Marie Agnes came to visit Katie and me.
They had brought us bananas and cabbage (neither Katie nor I have any idea what to make with cabbage and we now have 6 heads of it.) Sister Alfonsie and Katie were giggling in her apartment (the sisters are always giggling), and Sister Agnes and I started talking about the weather. Sister Agnes is very good at English and our conversation continued until she was sharing with me about her order: the Sisters of the Assumption. I asked about what their mission is and what she told me changed my outlook of my current situation.
Sisters of the Assumption are located all over the world and their vision is to educate. They wish to provide education with the purpose of personal transformation. While their pedagogy is Christ-centered in nature, they refuse to turn down any student because of their religious beliefs. There are no conditions on the teaching they offer, you don't have to convert to earn their support. They believe that to have a good educational experience is to have experienced God. Rwaza School (pronounced gwaza) is one of the highest performing schools in the country, but unlike other top-performance schools, they do not select students based on marks. Sister Agnes said: "Other schools, they take the cream, but we take anyone." They believe that if you encourage and expect good things from students, they will meet your expectations. My thoughts exactly. I feel as if this position was made with me in mind. For I know the plans I have for you…indeed.
Meghan - thanks for another peek at what you're experiencing. It seems that God knows when we need a lift - and it's great to share in how he has raised your sights through what Sister Agnes shared with you. We are continuing to pray that you will be placed in a classroom where God can make the biggest impact through your skills, personality and dedication to serving Him.
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What a blessing to be with consecrated sisters who have devoted themselves to such service. It is a true joy to spend time with monastics, for they are the very rock of the Church, and always have been. May God have mercy upon us.
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